The Top 6 Tips On How To Use The Internet As An Effective Tool For Weight Loss
When it comes down to it, the actual physical side of losing weight is going to require you to do things other than sit in front of your computer.
You can join all the support websites that you want to, you can research weight loss programs, and you can buy all of the neat workout toys that you can squeeze into your house, but in the end, you’re going to have to get out of your chair and make it happen!
Now, all of that being said, the Internet is a GREAT place to find information and support for your weight loss efforts. To that end, here is a list of 6 tips on how to use the internet to lose weight.
Exercise Instruction
One of the biggest reasons why people fail in their fitness efforts is because they simply don’t know what they are doing. However, there are numerous free resources on the Internet that teach you more than you could need to know about exercise.
You can start out by checking out Bodybuilding.com that includes a huge list of exercises and pictures along with an easily searched database that even includes instructions.
Tools and Calculators
There are a ton of online tools that you can use to measure or monitor your health, fitness, and nutritional status. The biggest problem is determining which tools are the most accurate. Some of the so-called “experts” on the Internet may not know as much as they should be dispensing advice in these matters.
For online calculators, I always turn to Chad Tackett and the great gang over at Global Health & Fitness. I’ve been using them and referring people to their site for years and I’ve never heard a bad thing about them. They’ve got loads of great information at their site, and here are direct links to some of the tools and calculators that they offer:
Message boards/Discussion forums
There are numerous weight loss message boards or discussion forums on the internet that you can read through or participate in. There are far too many to list! Once again, however, the quality of the information and interaction that you are getting is more important than the actual amount of time that you spend there.
As a general rule, only hang out at weight loss message boards or forums where the entire website is dedicated to health and fitness. In other words, don’t go to places like Yahoo Groups, Google Groups, etc. Those sites are huge and widespread, but they are also full of a bunch of people who are not fitness professionals.
Weight Loss Articles
There is no end to the number of articles that you can find on the Internet that deal with weight loss, exercise, and physical fitness. No, there is no end! You could read all day, every day, and you would just end up more confused than when you started.
Once again, go with the wisdom of people who not only know what they are talking about but have a clue how to get that information across to you in article format. There is a host of question & article-based top website recommendations on the internet in 2021 namely Quora, Reddit & Ezine articles.
Nutrition Information
Please note that I am going to recommend that you check out high-quality resources that tell what is in the food that you eat, rather than what foods to eat. All you have to do is pick up a different monthly edition of any given magazine that health talks to hear the “latest” scientific data about what is good for you and what isn’t.
What is funny is that a lot of that information is not only open to some serious interpretation, but a lot of it gets updated to the point where what was once good for you isn’t anymore, and what was once bad for you is now okay (in proper proportions).
So, rather than point you to another place to find the “latest” research, I will instead just send you to my two favorite resources for raw data about nutrition, then you can make your own choices once you have some quality information:
Audio and Video Content
One of the great things about the explosion of both the interest in the Internet as well as the technology that powers the Internet is that it has enabled some very easy and convenient ways for people to share audio and video content.
YouTube is a popular video website, and despite the less than professional nature of a lot of their content, there are also some great videos about exercise if you take the time to search around for them.
Another great video source is iTunes.com. Numerous video podcasts are dedicated to health, fitness, and empowerment, and there are dozens of great audio podcasts there as well.
Closing note
Long story short? Use the Internet as the wonderful tool that it is to get information, motivation, and support. After that, it falls to YOU to get up and make it happen!
